Dyersburg Intermediate classrooms to be ready for first day

Dyersburg Intermediate School educator Becky Coleman prepares her classroom for the first day of the 2010-2011 school year. The large windows behind her are one of Coleman's favorite features of the newly renovated school. Classes will begin tomorrow for all city and county schoolchildren - including DIS students, who will begin the year with most of the renovations to their school completed. The school year begins with a partial day of classes on Thursday, July 29. [Click to enlarge]

The first day of school is right around the corner, with both the Dyersburg City and Dyer County school systems beginning with a partial day of school on Thursday, July 29.

As the final days of summer break slide by, parents may find themselves scurrying to find last-minute essentials, supplies and clothing appropriate to put their students on the right track for the 2010-2011 academic year.

In fact, parents with students attending Dyersburg Intermediate School may wonder if the school itself will be ready for students by Thursday's deadline.

With major renovations to classrooms, bathrooms, the gym and the library - and new paint, windows, lights and ceilings for the rest of the structure - Superintendent Lloyd Ramer said that it was a tight fit to complete the DIS renovations from the end of TCAP testing this spring to the beginning of the school year on Thursday.

"Our construction people have worked extra hard and long hours to renovate for occupancy again," said DIS Principal Lou Newbill. "We really started May 1, and our students were able to see some of the early stages of construction. And now, they will be able to see the finished product. Not the library yet, but that's coming."

Although the library transformation will not be complete until students return from fall break on Oct. 18, Ramer and Newbill both said the rest of the classrooms will definitely be ready for students this week. DIS students will return to the same smiling faces of administrators and educators with the added bonus of larger windows, an air-conditioned gym, a new color scheme for the office, new ceilings, and brighter and more efficient lighting in hallways and classrooms. Many classrooms have also been fixed with adjoining doors.

On a recent tour of the school, Ramer pointed out a temporary wall constructed to keep students separated from continuing work on the new library. As light flooded into the halls and classrooms from larger windows, Ramer pointed out other much-needed updates to the system's oldest school.

"The biggest thing - all the restrooms are now handicapped accessible," said Ramer. "All inspiration comes from someplace and the restrooms are modeled after DMS. The restrooms in the center hall are larger, to accommodate more students and to be ADA compliant. There are all new ceilings (in the building), new paint, new tile on all the floors, new energy-efficient lights. ..."

Three classrooms near the new library have been converted into a storage room for the librarian and a project room, complete with storage and enough space for science projects to lie flat as they are constructed.

The nurse's office has been expanded to include its own bathroom and a comfortable space to rest and wait for parents.

"Another thing - the gym finally gets air conditioning," said Ramer. "Finally, we can have assemblies and do what we need to do."

Students and parents entering the office will have bright gold and red walls to greet them, as administrators settle into the business side of the new school year. Teachers are already hard at work creating an engaging space to promote a year of learning.

"School will start on time, with the new area ready by the time we get back from fall break," said Ramer. "We have to renovate so we are not interrupting school and that presents a challenge."

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Angie's List, a consumer review website, presents the following checklist for a smooth transition into the new academic year.

Three tips for a computer checkup:

Now is a good time to make sure home computers are ready for the wear and tear of the upcoming school year. If your computer needs service or repair work, it is better to find out before the homework starts to ensure that computer problems don't derail your straight "A" student.

* Shop Around - Call several shops and ask them about their diagnostic and repair fees. Request an estimate of what repairs will cost before you authorize work to begin. Make sure to get all guarantees in writing.

* Save yourself - Before you bring your computer in for repair or service, back up your data and delete any sensitive information.

* Get up-to-date - Update all your virus and spyware software and install all other necessary updates. It is not always the best choice to buy spyware and antivirus software from where you bought your computer. Usually, those programs can be very expensive, while free programs are available online.

Three tips for purchasing a new computer for school:

If you are in the market for a new computer, take into consideration your child's needs. Some computers will be better suited than others, depending on factors including grade level, subject matter and expected wear and tear.

* Plan Ahead - Don't wait until the last minute to buy a computer for school. Give yourself at least a month before school begins, if possible, to allow time to install everything needed, download your old files and get comfortable with the new computer.

* Desktop or Laptop? It really depends on your child. While a laptop is more convenient than a desktop, the portable computers may also be more expensive and fragile.

* Back up. Back up. Back up - An external hard drive is a relatively inexpensive investment to ensure your student won't be scrambling to rewrite that 20-page term paper when the computer crashes.

Three "Do's" for a Cool School 'Do:

Just when you have checked all the items off your child's school-supply list, purchased new clothing and ensured you have the right computer, you realize that you forgot to make sure your student can see the blackboard through those bangs.

* Respect the Chair - Prepare your child for what's to come, especially if he or she is used to you snipping their ends. Stylists are there to deal with hair, not discipline.

* Manage Expectations - They are stylists, not magicians. There are just some things hair simply cannot do. If our child has dark, curly hair, they probably won't be leaving the salon looking like Hannah Montana.

* Listen Up! - If your child wants a complicated style that you don't think they'll be able to manage, ask the stylist to assist you in explaining the situation. It is important to let your child have input, but if your school doesn't allow purple highlights, then you'll have to step in.